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About Human Resources in the RAF

Everyone in the RAF has an essential role to play in the timely and effective delivery of Air Power in defence of the UK and its interests on military operations worldwide and in support of the civilian population, in areas such as disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.

Your duties as a HR Specialist in the RAF will be diverse, exciting and highly rewarding. Wherever the RAF is operational, there is a HR team ready to provide a professional service to personnel of all specialisations.

You can expect to move jobs every few years and to work up close to flying operations on RAF bases and at other military locations in the UK and overseas, including alongside your HR counterparts in the other UK Armed Forces.

You will also have an opportunity to volunteer for tours of duty in places like the USA, Cyprus and with NATO forces in Europe. Throughout your RAF career you will deploy for periods from a few days to six months to use your skills in an operational environment in a Joint Headquarters or as part of an Expeditionary Air Wing committed to operations in places like the Middle East and the Falkland Islands.

As you progress, you may find yourself delivering HR Services on RAF squadrons operating the latest aircraft such as Voyager, Chinook, Typhoon and F35 Lightning II or as a member of the HR and display support team with the Red Arrows. Furthermore, as you gain knowledge and experience, you will be ready to apply your professional HR and broader military leadership and management skills to compete with your peers for promotion to a higher rank and employment opportunities which will bring greater responsibility and control of your own team.

You will be encouraged and supported continually to challenge yourself by progressing to specialised roles such as HR Trainer providing Trade Training to the next generation of HR Specialists or as a RAF Career Manager where you will be responsible for advising on and managing the career progression of RAF personnel in other Trades.

You will also have the opportunity to work at the most senior levels of the RAF, Defence and NATO in the Ministry of Defence in London and the major RAF and Joint Headquarters in UK and Europe. Within the RAF, the official name for the Human Resources specialisation is Personnel (Support) in Trade Group 17.

Join the Royal Air Force and you will get much more than just a job – you’ll have opportunities that no other employer can hope to match. From worldwide travels to lifelong friendships, life in the RAF is a unique experience.

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